Author's Note:
Although Amazons have spread through many cultures, they
originated from Greek myth. Xena also was inspired from the
Greek world, so due to that, the following Amazons discussed
are only from Greek myth. I also refer to Hercules as
Herakles, because Herakles was his Greek name.

Graphic Editor's Note:
While looking for pictures that would best illustrate this
particular article, I found a very interesting site dedicated
to serious scholastic study of Amazons. The pictures used
in this article are by kind permission of Mag. Gerhard Poellauer,
and readers are invited to visit her site at:
[
Mysteries of Ancient History and Archaeology ].

[01] The word Amazon is of unknown
origin, however a folk etymology popped up which explained
the word as being a deriviative of the preface "a-", meaning
"without", followed by "mazos", meaning "breast". This folk
etymology was supported by the folktale that Amazons cut off
one breast to facilitate archery. However, this is most
likely a story designed to discourage women from taking up
archery. This speculation is supported by even the most
casual observation of modern day female archers who are more
than capable of using the bow with all breasts intact.

[02] Historically, Amazons were portrayed as
beautiful women in Amazonomachies, which was an artform
showing battles between the Amazons and Greeks. Amazons were
trained to use all weapons and especially in single combat.
They were honorable, courageous, brave and represented
rebellion against sexism. Their tales spread quickly and
soon stories of the Amazons were everywhere, including
Africa, Asia, Europe, South America (the Amazon River was
named after the female warriors), and North America in the
mid-1900s with the comic book hero, Wonder Woman. The
following is a list of eighty-two Amazons from Greek
myth.

Aello[03] Aello was one of Hippolyte's Amazons. She
was the first to attack Herakles when he came for
Hippolyte's girdle. Unfortunately, Herakles now wore the
lion skin from his first labor, making him invulnerable.
Aello could not kill Herakles and was killed herself. Her
name means, "Whirlwind."

Ainia[04] Ainia was an Amazon who was the enemy of
Achilles. Due to this, she fought with Penthesilea at Troy,
against Achilles. Her name means, "Swiftness."

Ainippe[05] Ainippe was one of the many Amazons who went
after Herakles' captains, after Hippolyte was killed, in
order to avenge their Queen's death. Her name means, "Swift
Mare."

Alcibie[06] Alcibie fought with Penthesilea at Troy.

Alcinoe[07] Alcinoe was an Amazon under Andromache. Her
name means, "Mighty Wisdom."

Alcippe[08] Alcippe was one of Hippolyte's Amazons. She
was the ninth and last Amazon to die by Herakles' hand in
single combat. After her death, the Amazons fought in force.
Her name means, "Powerful Mare."

Alkaia[09] Alkaia was one of Queen Andromache's Amazon
generals. Her name means, "Mighty One."

Amynomene[10] Amynomene was an Amazon serving under
Orithia in the Attic War. Her name means, "Blameless
Defender."

Anaea[11] Anaea was an Amazon conqueror from the
Thermodontine Amazons. She named a city after herself and
her tomb lies there.

Anaxilea[12] Anaxilea was an Amazon whose name was one of
royalty. She was believed to be of royal blood.

Androdameia[13] Androdameia was an Amazon who fought in the
Attic War. Her name means, "Subduer of Men."

Andromache[14] Andromache was an Amazon Queen. Her name
means, "Man Fighter."

Herakles fighting against the Amazon
Andromache.

Andromeda[15] Andromeda served Amazon Queen Andromache.
Her name means, "Ruler of Men."

Antandre[16] Antandre fought with Penthesilea at Troy.
Her name means, "Preceding Men."

Antianara[17] Antianara was the Amazon Queen of the
Thermodon after Penthesilea was killed at Troy.

Antianeira[18] Antianeira was an Amazon in the Attic War.
Dueled with Theseus in single combat.

Antibrote[19] Antibrote was one of the twelve Amazons who
helped Penthesilea temporarily liberate Troy.

Antimache[20] Antimache served under Andromache. Her name
means, "Confronting Warrior."

Antimachos[21] Antimachos was an Amazon who fought in the
Attic War.

Antiope[22] Antiope was an Amazon Queen when Theseus
attacked. When she was defeated, she married Theseus and had
his son, Hippolytus (named after Queen Hippolyte). In one
tale, Antiope survived the battle between the Amazons and
Theseus, only to be betrayed by the Athenian king, who
married another. Antiope attacked the day of the wedding
with her Amazons. She had planned to massacre the guests. It
took Theseus, his companions and the invincible Herakles to
kill her. Her name means, "Confronting Moon."

Antiopeia[23] Antiopeia was an Amazon archer in the Attic
War.

Areto[24] Areto was an Amazon who went with Pantariste
to kill the captains and soldiers of Herakles to avenge the
murder of Hippolyte. The Amazons won the battle. Her name
means, "Unspeakable."

Areximacha[25] Areximacha was an Amazon under
Andromache.

Aristomache[26] Aristomache was an Amazon who fought
Mounichos in the Attic War. Her name means, "Best of
Warriors."

Asteria[27] Asteria was named for the Titan mother of
Hecate. She was the sixth slain by Herakles in single combat
when he came for Hippolyte's girdle. Even though the Amazons
knew he was invulnerable, they still chose to fight bravely,
challenging him one by one [Editor's note: Just like all the
bad do in X:WP and H:TLJ, they always go at the hero one at
a time!]. Her name means, "Of the Sky."

An Amazon carrying an injured comrade
from
the battlefield.

Bremusa[28] Bremusa was an Amazon who was one of
Penthesilea's twelve companions at Troy, where she died. Her
name means, "Raging Female."

Celaneo[29] Celaneo was an Amazon under Hippolyte whose
best weapon was a spear. She fought with Euryhe and Phoebe,
always standing shoulder to shoulder in combat. They were
killed by Herakles.

Clete[30] Clete (or Cleite) was an Amazon Queen,
sailing to join Penthesilea at Troy, when she was blown off
course. She landed in Italy and founded the city of Clete.
Her name means, "The Invoked."

Clyemne[31] Clyemne was an Amazon at the Attic war who
fought both Theseus and Phaleros in single combat. Her name
means, "Famous Might."

Deianeira[32] Deianeira was the fifth Amazon killed by
Herakles in single combat, during his ninth labor. Her name
means, "Strings Together Spoils."

Deinomache[33] Deinomache was an Amazon in the Attic War.
Her name means, "Terrible Warrior."

Derimacheia[34] Derimacheia was one of the twelve Amazon
companions of Penthesilea at Troy.

Derinoe[25] Derinoe was an Amazon who fought for
Penthesilea at Troy. Killed Laogonus in single combat.

Doris[36] Doris was an Amazon named for a sea-goddess.
She was a spear-woman in the Attic War. Her name means,
"Bountiful."

Echephyle[37] Echephyle fought Eudorus in single combat in
the Attic War. Her name means, "Chief Defender."

Eriobea[38] Eriobea was an Amazon who served under
Hippolyte. She was the fourth killed by Herakles in single
combat.

Eumache[39] Eumache was an Amazon in the Attic War, who
once disarmed and out of arrows, fought with a stone. Her
name means, "Good Fighter."

Eurybe[40] Eurybe was an Amazon who was handy with a
spear. She always fought in an unbeatable pattern with
Phoebe and Celaneo. Unfortunately, they were killed by
Herakles, when their spears broke against the lion's skin
from his first labor. They were killed with one sword
stroke. Her name means, "Grand Strength."

Euryleia[41] Euryleia fought in the Attic War. Her name
means, "Woman Wanderer."

Harmothoe[42] Harmothoe was an Amazon who was one of
Penthesilea's twelve companions. Her name means, "Sharp
Nail."

Hipp[43] Hipp was an Amazon Queen. She worked
together with another Amazon Queen (Marpesia) and founded
the cities, Ephesus, Smyrna, Cyrene and Myrine. Hipp also
made a temple to Artemis in Ephesus that remains one of the
Seven Wonders of the World. Her name means, "Horse."

The fortress of the Amazons -- in
this case, probably Themiskyra.

Hippolyte[44] Hippolyte was an Amazon Queen. Daughter of Otrera
and Ares, God of War. Herakles' ninth labor was to
take Hippolyte's war girdle (a gift from her father).
When Herakles came, Hippolyte was impressed with his
strength and so gave him the girdle. When Hera, Queen
of the Gods and step-mother to Herakles saw this, she
told Hippolyte's Amazons, that Herakles was there to
abduct their Queen. The Amazons attacked Herakles, and
during the battle, Hippolyte was killed. Her name
means, "Of the Stampeding Horse."

Hippolyte II[45] Hippolyte II was a sister of Penthesilea.
While the two were hunting together, Penthesilea
accidentally killed her. Penthesilea was so shocked and
ashamed, that she left the Amazons, taking twelve of her
Amazons with her to Troy.

Hippomache[46] Hippomache fought at the Attic War.

Hippothoe[47] Hippothoe fought with Penthesilea at Troy.
Her name means, "Imperious Mare."

Hypsipyle[48] Hypsipyle was an Amazon under Hippolyte. She
helped in the fight against Herakles' captains. Her name
means, "Of the High Gate."

Iphito[49] Iphito served under Hippolyte. She joined in
the battle with Pantariste against Herakles' captains,
Telamon, Theseus and Tiamides.

Kleoptoleme[50] Kleoptoleme was an Amazon under Queen
Andromache.

Kreousa[51] Kreousa was an Amazon who was killed by
Phylakos in single combat in the Attic War.

Kydoime[52] Kydoime was an Amazon under Andromache.

Laodoke[53] Laodoke fought with the Amazons in the Attic
War.

Lykopis[54] Lykopis was an Amazon archer under
Andromache. Her name means, "She-Wolf."

Lysippe[55] Lysippe was an Amazon Queen. Settled her
Amazons near the Black Sea. She was the one who established
the policies that Amazons lived by. She was an intelligent
woman, an excellent general and founded the city,
Themiscrya. She was killed in battle as a hero to her
people. Her name means, "She Who Lets Loose the Horses."

Marpe[56] Marpe was the seventh Amazon to challenge
and be killed by Herakles.

Marpesia[57] Marpesia was an Amazon Queen, who ruled with
Lampedo. They excelled at building the Amazon empire. The
Caucasus Mountains were once called, "The Marpesians," after
her. Marpesia was killed by a group of barbarians during an
Asian attack. Her name means, "The Snatcher."

Melanippe[57] Melanippe was the sister of Antiope. When
Herakles came for Hippolyte's girdle, Melanippe was captured
by the son of Zeus. While a prisoner, she planned a
successful mutiny, on one of Herakles' ships, that freed her
and some other captive Amazons. They took the ship, killing
the Greeks and tossed their bodies overboard. Unfortunately,
these Amazons were trained to ride horses, not sail, and
they were blown to the shores of Scythia. They stole horses
and became marauders. Her name means, "Black Mare."

Melousa[59] Melousa was an Amazon in the Attic War, lead
by Orithia.

Mimnousa[60] Mimnousa fought at the Attic War.

Amazon training a
horse.

Molpadia[61] Molpadia was an Amazon who fought for
Orithia. Her name means, "Death Song."

Okyale[62] Okyale was an Amazon archer who fought in
the Attic war. She engaged Astyochos in single combat.

Okypous[63] Okypous was an Amazon under Andromache.

Orithia[64] Orithia (or Oreithyia) was a daughter of the
Amazon Queen Marpesia. When her mother was killed by Asian
barbarians, her mother's position fell to her. She forged an
alliance with Sagillus, King of Scythia, who sent his son
with an army to help Orithia avenge her mother's death.

Pantariste[65] When Herakles' captains fled, Pantariste
lead the chase after them. Two Greek foot soldiers attacked
her, but she killed them (killing the second by holding his
throat until he suffocated). She threw her spear at Captain
Tiamides, who blocked it with his shield, but the force
knocked him to the ground. She then threw her labrys (a
double-headed ax) and beheaded him.

Penthesilea[66] Penthesilea was the daughter of Orithia and
Ares. She was known for her bravery, her skill in weapons
and her wisdom. During a hunt, she killed her sister,
Hippolyte II. She was so filled with grief that she set out
for Troy (which she liberated), but Achilles retook it.
Penthesilea's Amazons fought for Troy again. Since she was
the daughter of Ares (God of War), she was able to kill many
warriors at Troy, including Machaon and the great Achilles.
Penthesilea fell at Troy. Her name means, "Compelling Men to
Mourn."

Philippis[67] Philippis was the second Amazon of nine to
engage Herakles, one-on-one, after he had killed Hippolyte.
She was killed. Her name means, "Woman Who Loves Horses."

Phoebe[68] Phoebe was the third of the Amazon
spear-women with Celaneo and Eurybe. They were killed by
Herakles when the Amazons attacked him after Hippolyte's
death.

Pisto[69] Pisto was an Amazon under Andromache.

Polemusa[70] Polemusa was one of the twelve Amazons who
accompanied Penthesilea to Troy.

Prothoe[71] Prothoe was the third Amazon to take on
Herakles in single combat after Hippolyte's death. Herakles
won, killing her. Her name means, "First in Might."

Pyrgomache[72] Pyrgomache was an Amazon who fought in the
Attic War. Her name means, "Fiery Warrior."

Scyleia[73] Scyleia was an Amazon under Andromache.

Tecmessa[74] Tecmessa was the eighth Amazon to challenge
Herakles in hand-to-hand combat. She was killed. Her name
means, "She Who Judges."

Teisipyte[75] Teisipyte was an Amazon who served under
Andromache.

Telepyleia[76] Telepyleia was an Amazon under Andromache.
Her name means, "Far Sailing."

An Amazon saying her prayers in fron
of an
altar.

Thalestris[77] Thalestris was an Amazon Queen during the
days of Alexander the Great. Alexander met with Thalestris,
and they hunted lions together and had thirteen nights of
lovemaking (thirteen is a sacred fertility number for moon
worshippers, due to the number of moons in a year). She had
hoped to have a mighty daughter from Alexander, but she died
soon afterward without issue.

Thermodosa[78] Thermodosa was one of Penthesilea's twelve
Amazon companions at Troy.

Thraso[79] Thraso was an Amazon under Andromache. Her
name means, "Confidence."

Toxaris[80] Toxaris was an Amazon of Andromache. Her
name means, "Archer."

Toxis[81] Toxis was an archer under Andromache.

Toxophile[82] Toxophile was an archer under Andromache.

Valasca[83] Valasca (or Dlasta) was an Amazon warrior
queen, who ruled for several years in tyranny. She had the
right eye and thumbs of all males removed, to make them
useless in battle. She wanted to start a new era for the
Amazons and she was cruel in her haste, having only a small
cult of willing followers. It was not until she died that,
"the nation resumed its normal order."

Xanthippe[84] Xanthippe was an Amazon in the Attic War.
Her name means, "Yellow Mare."

[85] The myths of the Amazons are a significant
part of human culture. The Amazon myth was embraced by
Greece, and from there spread all over the world. They were
the earliest symbols of a society's fear of feminism. They
questioned the order of life and rose against it. They would
not allow themselves to be treated as less than human.

[86] Queen Penthesilea said it was the best when
she was quoted at Troy, saying, "Not in strength are we
inferior to men; the same our eyes, our limbs the same; one
common light we see, one air we breathe; nor different is
the food we eat. What then denied to us hath heaven on man
bestowed."